Obituary of Yvette Oleksin

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Yvette Oleksin (nee Usunier) passed away quietly from cancer on Monday, January 23, 2006. Born on October 21, 1953 she grew up in Brandon, MB and later lived for a short time in Carnduff, SK and Deloraine, MB. After her school years, she moved to Edmonton where she eventually met and married her husband Gene. Together they raised two children and when the kids were older and in school, Yvette started a new career with Scotiabank in Prince Albert, SK. She worked at various branches in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and during her twenty years with the bank she made many lasting friendships. She had been working at the Okotoks, AB branch when she became ill in April of 2005. Yvette had the spirit of a warrior and throughout her battle with cancer, this fighting spirit was very evident to all. While the disease eventually won out, she always had a positive attitude and never gave it any ground willingly. She lived the last months of her life, like she had always done before, to the fullest extent possible and especially enjoying the company of family and friends. She touched the lives of many people. She was a person with indomitable personal strength and devotion to her family. During her illness, she welcomed and enjoyed the many visits and phone calls from friends and family and loved to make her visitors laugh by recalling past humorous stories which usually included some crazy antics. Yvette loved to entertain and socialize and her famous cheesecakes and other baked goodies were eagerly sought after. She also loved holidays in the sun and spoke often of her happy memories of past trips to Mexico “with her people”. We are very appreciative of all the support we received from family, friends and our employers during Yvette’s difficult journey and please know that this journey was made easier by your support. The many visits, thoughtful actions, gifts, flowers, meals, and special treats etc., which we received in the hospital, at home and finally at the hospice will always be fondly remembered. We will always treasure these acts of love and kindness. She is lovingly remembered by her husband Gene, daughter Chantel, son Trevor and granddaughter Raquel (“Bazoo”). She is also lovingly remembered by her father Butch, stepmother Teresa, brothers Denys and Lionel and her sister Janelle, with whom she had a special bond. She will also be sadly missed by many sisters and brothers-in-law, grandma Oleksin, aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her mother Jeanne Usunier. We are very grateful that she was able to spend her last days in the loving care of the professional staff and volunteers at the Rosedale Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts that people may choose to make in memory of Yvette be made directly to the Rosedale Hospice #900, 833 – 4 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3T5 Telephone: (403) 263 – 4525 or to any other hospice society of the donor’s choice. A celebration of Yvette’s life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Yvette Oleksin, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.